The Notch campaign is going to reboot! Thank you for your support and see you in January 2014.

Movement capture

Capture and store information about your movement, anywhere, anytime. Build increasingly precise knowledge about how you move, jump, run, punch, kick, dance. Compare your movement style and technique with people all over the world. Introduce and share new moves. All this in a package smaller than 1.3" X 1.3". Notch comes in separate modules, or integrated with apparel designed for free-form movement capture.

How can I use it?

Notch technology allows you to capture your movement data without line-of-sight restrictions or base station requirements.

Share the movement data you collected with Notch modules to compete with other people worldwide. Imagine sparring with people you might never encounter in real life. Into soccer (football)? Use Notch to learn how the power of your kick compares to taekwondo enthusiasts.

Capture your daily body language to see how your posture and dynamics correlate with your daily activities. Share your body language with other people in a brand new way. Create and discover movement profiles similar (or wildly different) from yours.

Notch is designed around the principle that technology should be invisible.

Notch modules are tiny. You can wear them anywhere to record your movement data in 3D without disrupting your activities. Choose Notch-compatible apparel to experience the complete integration of technology and everyday performance wear.

Access collected data with Notch's companion app. Build your own apps to contribute to collective knowledge about the way the world moves.

Expandable

Notch experience evolves with every added module.

The Notch network can be expanded with new modules with minimal reconfiguration. You can attach Notch modules anywhere on your body anytime to add more measurements and track more moves.

Independent

Although network mode maximizes the performance of Notch technology, modules work independently. Add or remove modules on the fly and the changes will be reflected in data. Notch modules work as inputs that collect and process motion data and as outputs that send haptic notifications using tiny vibration motors.

Technology

The main reason we have created Notch is that we wanted it for ourselves. We wanted a screen-free interface that utilizes body movement as input anytime anywhere. We wanted it to be truly wearable, an alternative to plastic and rubber bracelets. We wanted to bring technology and clothing closer to becoming one. But most of all, we wanted to dip our fingers into the movement data produced by that technology.

Of course we plan to have an API. Of course it is NOT a stretch goal. We are eager to hear from anyone and everyone that's excited about possibilities that Notch technology opens up. If you have any ideas about what you can do with Notch data - contact us!

Before technology

We believe truly wearable technology has to come as close to as possible to the original wearable item – clothing!

Notch is designed to blend with your lifestyle, not alter it.

We designed the Notch mounting system around snap fasteners. Snap fasteners are widely available and can be added to any type of textile with minimal effort. A tight and secure mount is crucial for movement capture.

snap concept

Snap fasteners that you see on video will be integrated into aluminum base in final version of Notch, that you will get. We are currently designing a custom tool for it.

Our solution is a contribution to the conversation between fashion and technology. We are excited to hear from fashion designers interested in blending fashion and tech in the most integrated way.

Textile and semiconductors

Prefer a more complete solution than individual sensors? Then you are the perfect model for our introductory clothing line. Welcome to the world of integrated wearable technology.

3 universal styles

Movement capture t-shirt. Slim fit. Made from stretch cotton. Comes with mounts for installing Notch sensors on shoulders and back (around the 10th spine joint).

Long-sleeve movement capture t-shirt. Made from performance stretch fabric. Comes with mounts for installing Notch sensors on wrists, shoulders and the back. Comes in male and female versions.

Button-down movement capture shirt. For people that want to use Notch technology in a less casual environment. Movement capture classic shirt. Slim fit. Comes in male and female versions.

Button down shirt

Comes with Notch mounts inside cuffs and on the back of the collar.

Movement capture wristband. Performs just like a regular wristband, but includes a small pocket with a Notch mount.

Introduce new moves or learn from others

Notch connects to your smartphone via Bluetooth 4.0.

Our app helps you to set up the modules across your body, record your movements, collect information about the movements being recorded, replay the movements as 3D visualizations, and download the data in XYZ format.

We are set to ship Notch with an iOS app. To learn about our plans for Android and Desktop apps, check out our stretch goals!

Notch Rewards

As a Kickstarter supporter you can choose between black and white modules. In future Notch modules will be coming in one color.

More movement!

* Sneak Preview *

our progress

How did we do it?

Meet the final hardware design of Notch.

and the final prototype of Notch.

It was a long ride.

We have been working on Notch for over a year. We have been following the IMU and wireless radio industries closely to make sure we have access to just the right components at just the right time. We are using the latest available technology and have been developing for the last 3.5 months at the heart of hardware manufacturing – Shenzhen, China.

history

Where are we now?

We have developed and tested hardware. We have gone through numerous prototypes. None of the pictures you see are renders. We have spent 3.5 months in Shenzhen, China, where we made all the arrangements necessary to start mass-production of Notch modules. We have also worked really hard to make Notch as affordable as possible with the current state of technology without compromising the quality of used components. However to be able to meet the desired price point we need to manufacture more than just 1-10-100 Notches. That is why we need your support. Ultimately the money will be spent on:

Tooling (necessary to manufacture enclosures).

Components order.

Test run of a small batch of modules (to make sure your modules work flawlessly and look beautiful).

In our current state, we are perfecting our positioning and movement capture algorithms. After we ship Notch modules, Kickstarter backers will get full and free access to new features and upgrades as we roll them out.

Risks and challenges

Notch is an exciting, yet complex product. It combines hardware and software. We have planned carefully and addressed most of the possible issues in pre-production stage. We have developed a number of fallback plans for key points in manufacturing and assembly. We are almost at the point, when it is time to push the "GO" button and start mass-production of Notch. Unlike many Kickstarter projects we have planned for manufacturing and did the development BEFORE we went on Kickstarter.

However there can still be unexpected problems like shortage (or increased lead times) for certain components or manufacturing errors. We are working on Notch 7 days a week, 12+ hours / day to make it a reality and are absolutely committed to addressing any possible issues. Keeping you updated about our progress is at the top of our priority list.

FAQ

Notch is a remarkably compact mobile movement capture system for the go-pro generation. It provides affordable movement capture utilizing state-of-the-art sensors and reconfigurable low-power bluetooth radios which work together to pass data to your mobile phone. The system is so small and light that it fits directly onto garments and equipment without obstructing movement.

Notch modules utilize cutting edge radios that can dynamically form a wireless network, rearrange while being connected to your smartphone via low-energy bluetooth. The combination of the latest ICs and low-energy bluetooth make possible the long battery life of the Notch.

Notch sensors are placed in the mobile application around body joints creating linkages and dependencies. The relationship between the sensors and linkages creates accurate measurement and reconstruction of movement. Post processing with the PC application is able to recreate movement paths.

The Notch network can be expanded with new modules anywhere on your body anytime. Although network mode maximizes the performance of Notch technology, modules work independently. Add or remove modules on the fly and the changes will be reflected in data. Notch modules work as inputs that collect and process motion data and as outputs that send haptic notifications using tiny vibration motors.

Notch is designed to be an amazingly affordable, completely mobile movement capture system that can be used in casual activities to extreme sports without limiting movement and without being visually obtrusive. Any motion sport or activity can now be recorded like any other digital memory, stored and reconstructed. We have received thoughts on many applications we never imagined - if you want to tell us about how you would like to use Notch we want to hear about it.

You bet. The Notch is a fantastic development platform for a wide range of commercial and consumer applications. Back us on Kickstarter and you will get what you need to start developing applications for the Notch.

We designed Notch apparel to work well with Notch technology. Specific mounting locations and secure fixtures improve the movement data while keeping Notch invisible. We are developing a clothing API to support fashion designers to easily integrate Notch technology to any garment. If you are a fashion designer and interested in Notch technology, we would love to talk to you.

Pledge $80 or more

CHRISTMAS SPECIAL! A Christmas present for someone you care about. You get two Notch modules and a special Notch Christmas postcard (sent to the address you specify before Christmas 2013).

Estimated delivery:Jun 2014

Ships anywhere in the world

You selected

Pledge $99 or more

9 backers

Notch Combo. Two Notch modules with mounts and a Notch wristband. Extended movement capture functionality! Potential capture combinations: wrist and torso, two wrists, two feet, one foot and torso.. the possibilities are endless.

Pledge $5,000 or more

0 backers

PARTNERSHIP. Let's talk business. We can discuss distribution and/or integration with your existing products. You will be able to influence the development of movement capture and get early partnership updates from us. We will meet in Europe, New York or China. (Travel and accommodation not included). Comes with Performance Wearable or Fashion Wearable package (you specify).

Estimated delivery:Jun 2014

Ships anywhere in the world

Funding period

Nov 22, 2013 - Jan 7, 2014
(45 days)

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